Power saw with miter angle adjustment

ABSTRACT

A power saw that has a device that allows for small changes in miter angles, where the small changes in miter angels can be made quickly as well as removed quickly. Additional the device makes it clear whether the angle adjustment is or is not in place.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to power saws; specifically, power saws capableof making miter angle adjustments.

2. Background of the Invention

When trimming windows, doorways, and the like, there are typically twovertical pieces of trim boards, a horizontal trim board at the top, andfor widows a couple of boards for the sill. Consider where the verticalpieces intersect the horizontal piece. At the intersection, each of theboards would have to be cut at a 45 degree angle. Professionalcarpenters want the boards to meet in such a manner that the verticaland horizontal boards look almost like one piece. This can be achievedby raising the board off of the miter saw base by a small amount whenmaking the 45 degree cut. Typically, a professional carpenter would puta portion of a pencil or other similar item under the board to raise itslightly when making the 45 degree cut. Therefore, when the boards areput in place, this results in the horizontal board and vertical boardcontacting on an edge instead of complete contact on the adjoiningsurfaces. The edge is the edge that is visible when looking at thewindow framing. Because of this edge type contact, the boards look as ifthey are almost one board.

Miter saws have an adjustment that can produce the same type cut withoutusing a pencil or similar item as an offset; however the adjustment istime consuming. On most miter saws, one would have to reach behind thesaw and rotate a knob, tilt the saw head, and tighten the knob. For aprofessional carpenter, the time to do this is prohibitive. One sawmanufacturer makes a saw which allows the adjustment to be made from thefront of the saw. Even so, making the adjustment is time consuming.Additionally, because of the mass of the saw motor, making theadjustment quickly is awkward. Once the adjustment was made, it would beeasy to not notice it, which would result in incorrect cuts when makingtrimming cuts other than the one described above, or worse yet whenmaking framing cuts.

3. Objects and Advantages

This invention remedies the previously mentioned problems by providing apower saw with a miter angle adjustment specifically designed fortrimming applications. The power saw with miter angle adjustment has thefollowing advantages:

-   -   a) Makes an adjustment in the miter angle such that trimming        pieces will adjoin on an edge.    -   b) Provides a way to make the adjustment very quickly.    -   c) Provides a way to remove the adjustment very quickly.    -   d) Makes it clear whether the adjustment is or is not in place.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention, a power saw with a miter angleadjustment.

DRAWINGS—FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of a miter saw with the offset thatproduces the miter angle adjustment.

FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of a table saw with the offset thatproduces the miter angle adjustment.

FIG. 3 shows an isometric view of a skill saw with the offset thatproduces the miter angle adjustment.

FIG. 4 shows an isometric view of a jig saw with the offset thatproduces the miter angle adjustment.

FIG. 5 shows an isometric view of a rack and pinion system thatpositions the offset.

FIG. 6 shows an isometric view of a bar sliding in a channel thatpositions the offset.

FIG. 7 shows a section view of the bar that slides in a channel.

FIG. 8 shows an isometric view of a bar that rotates into a channel toposition the offset.

FIG. 9 shows a section view of the bar that rotates into a channel.

FIG. 10 shows a front view of a bar that rotates from underneath toposition the offset.

FIG. 11 shows a left side view of a bar that rotates from underneath.

FIG. 12 shows a front view of a four bar mechanism that positions theoffset where the mechanism is positioned via a thread rod.

FIG. 13 shows a front view of a four bar mechanism that positions theoffset where the mechanism is positioned via a latch.

FIG. 14 shows a section view of a four bar mechanism that positions theoffset where the mechanism is positioned via a latch.

FIG. 15 shows a 2 dimensional view of a rotating bar that positions theoffset.

FIG. 16 shows the first section view of a rotating bar that positionsthe offset.

FIG. 17 shows the left side view of a rotating bar that positions theoffset.

DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   10 power saw-   20 power saw motor-   30 power saw blade-   40 cutting material resting surface-   50 offset-   60 saw embodiment with rack and pinion offset positioning-   70 rack-   80 pinion-   90 rack and pinion supporting structure-   100 bracket-   110 shaft-   120 handle-   130 sliding bar-   140 channel for sliding bar-   150 rotating bar-   160 hinge-   170 rotating bar channel-   180 offset defining structure-   190 hinge-   200 spring-   210 first positioning surface-   220 second positioning surface-   230 bar 1 of the four bar mechanism-   240 bar 2 of the four bar mechanism-   250 bar 3 of the four bar mechanism-   260 bar 4 of the four bar mechanism-   270 rotational joint-   280 rotational joint with a threaded receptor-   290 threaded rod-   300 universal joint-   310 structure positioning handle-   320 handle-   330 spring-   340 restraining link-   350 structure positioning latch-   360 latch-   365 latch keyhole-   370 structure defining offset-   380 shaft-   390 shaft bearings-   400 shaft restrainer-   410 handle-   420 spring-   430 horizontal restraining member-   440 vertical structural member-   450 hinge-   460 rectangular portion of shaft

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—FIGS. 1-4—PREFERED EMBODIMENT

This invention, at a minimum, applies to four types of saws asillustrated in the Figures listed below:

-   -   Miter Saw: FIG. 1    -   Table Saw: FIG. 2    -   Skill Saw: FIG. 3    -   Jig Saw: FIG. 4

In FIGS. 1 thru 4 the saw 10 has a motor 20, a cutting blade 30, acutting material resting surface 40, and an offset 50, wherein theoffset changes the cutting angle between the cutting blade 30 and thecutting material (not shown).

A preferred embodiment of the saw of the present invention isillustrated in FIG. 5 wherein the offset 50 is positioned via a rack 70and a pinion 80. The pinion 80 is connected to a shaft 110 that ispositioned by a bracket 100 that is connected to the supportingstructure 90. The shaft 110 is connected to the handle 120 whererotation of the handle 120 rotates the shaft 110 which rotates thepinion 80 which moves the offset 50 relative to the cutting materialresting surface 40. This results in the offset 50 moving from a positionbelow the cutting material resting surface 40 to a plurality ofpositions above the cutting material resting surface 40.

FIGS. 6-7—Alternate Embodiment

An alternate embodiment of the saw of the present invention isillustrated in FIG. 6 (isometric view) and FIG. 7 (section view), wherethe offset 50 is defined via a sliding bar 130 that slides in a channel140. Referring to FIG. 7, notice that the bar 130 is held captive in thechannel 140 due to the bar 130 and the channel 140 being wider at theinnermost portions. The bar 130 can slide to a position that wouldengage the cutting material (not shown) to a position that would beclear of the cutting material.

FIGS. 8-9—Alternate Embodiment

An alternate embodiment of the saw of the present invention isillustrated in FIG. 8 (isometric view) and FIG. 9 (section view), wherethe offset 50 is defined via a rotating bar 150 that rotates about ahinge 160 from a position in the channel 170 to a position (asrepresented by the dashed lines) clear of the cutting material restingsurface 40 and thus clear of the cutting material (not shown). Referringto FIG. 9, notice that the bar 150 can rotate into the channel 170because the channel 170 and the bar 150 are shaped such that the bar 150is not held captive by the channel 170.

FIGS. 10-11—Alternate Embodiment

An alternate embodiment of the saw of the present invention isillustrated in FIG. 10 (isometric view) and FIG. 11 (left view), wherethe offset 50 is defined via an offset defining structure 180 thatrotates about a hinge 190 constrained either by the first positioningsurface 210 or by the second positioning surface 220, wherein the spring200 holds the offset defining structure 180 on the positioning surfaces(210, 220). When the offset defining structure 180 is positioned via thefirst positioning surface 210, then the offset 50 would engage thecutting material (not shown). When the offset defining structure 180 ispositioned via the second positioning surface 220, then the offset 50would not engage the cutting material.

FIG. 12—Alternate Embodiment

An alternate embodiment of the saw of the present invention isillustrated in FIG. 12 (two dimensional view), where the offset 50 ispositioned via a four bar mechanism. The first bar 230 is defined by thestructure of the saw 10, bar two 240 is connected on one end to bar one230 and on the other end to bar three 250, the other end of bar three250 is connected to bar four 260, and the other end of bar four 260 isconnected to bar one 230. The bars are connected via three rotationaljoints 270 and one rotational joint with a threaded receptor 280. Whenthe handle 320 is rotated, the universal joint 300 rotates, whichrotates the threaded rod 290 which interfaces with the rotational jointwith a threaded receptor 280. This rotation results in the positioningof the four bar mechanism such that the offset 50 is positioned at aplurality of positions below the cutting material resting surface 40 toa plurality of positions above the cutting material resting surface 40.

FIGS. 13-14—Alternate Embodiment

An alternate embodiment of the saw of the present invention isillustrated in FIG. 13 (two dimensional view) and FIG. 14 (sectionview), where the offset 50 is positioned via a four bar mechanism. Thefirst bar 230 is defined by the structure of the saw 10, bar two 240 isconnected on one end to bar 230 and on the other end to bar three 250,the other end of bar three 250 is connected to bar four 260, and theother end of bar four 260 is connected to bar one 230. The bars areconnected via four rotational joints 270. The four bar mechanism ispositioned via a latch 360 that is connected to a connecting link 340that is attached to the four bar mechanism. When the latch 360 isrotated one way it slides through a key hole 370 in the structure 350positioning the latch 360. The latch 360 is restrained via a spring 330.Depending on the engagement of the latch, the four bar mechanism ispositioned such that the offset 50 is either above the cutting materialresting surface 40 or below the cutting material resting surface 40.

FIGS. 15-17—Alternate Embodiment

An alternate embodiment of the saw of the present invention isillustrated in FIG. 15 (two dimensional view), FIG. 16 (section view)and FIG. 17 (left side view), where the offset 50 is positioned via astructural member 370 that is attached to the shaft 380 that is held inplace via bearings 390 such that when the shaft 380 is rotated to oneposition, the offset 50 is above the cutting material resting surface 40and when the shaft 380 is rotated to another position, the offset 50 isbelow the cutting material resting surface 40. The shaft 380 would beheld in position via the horizontal restraining member 430 interfacingwith the rectangular portion 460 of the shaft 390. The horizontalrestraining member 430 pivots about the hinge 450 that is attached tothe vertical structural member 440. The spring 420 forces the horizontalrestraining member 430 against the rectangular portion 460 of the shaft390 which fixes the shaft 390 in place.

Operation—FIGS. 5-17

The operation of the saw of the present invention entails moving theoffset 50 from a position below the cutting material resting surface 40to a position above the cutting material resting surface 40 and viceversa via the mechanisms depicted in FIGS. 5-17. The positioning of theoffset affects the miter cutting angle. A carpenter might make severalcuts where the change in the miter angle is needed, and then repositionthe offset 50 such that no change in miter angle would occur.

Advantages

Based on the description above, the advantages of the saw of the presentinvention follow:

The power saw with miter angle adjustment has the following advantages:

-   -   a) This invention provides a way for a carpenter to quickly make        a small miter angle change and to quickly remove the miter angle        change. The change in miter angle is very precise (i.e. the same        change every time).    -   b) This invention makes it very clear that the miter angle        adjustment is or is not in place.    -   c) This invention greatly improves the ability of a professional        carpenter to make consistent high quality cuts where the        adjoining boards contact on edge.    -   d) This invention does not impede in any way the normal use of        the saw when the miter angle adjustment is not in place.

Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope

This invention provides a saw that allows small adjustments in miterangles to be made quickly and precisely. Additionally, this inventionmakes it very clear whether the adjustment is or is not in place.

Although the description above contains many specifics, these should notbe construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merelyproviding illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodimentsof this invention. For example, there are many ways to hold a four barmechanism in place, most if not all of which would be applicable to thisinvention. Additionally, there are many ways to constrain a shaft thatrotates as well as many ways to configure and implement a rack andpinion system. In general, there are many ways to position an offsetthat would be applicable to this invention. The important characterizingfeature is that the offset is positioned.

1) A power saw, comprising: a. a motor b. a motor housing c. a bladedriven by said motor d. a resting surface positioned relative to saidmotor housing wherein said resting surface positions a cutting materiale. at least one offset from said resting surface where said offset isadjustable from not extending beyond said resting surface to a pluralityof positions beyond said resting surface wherein said offset alters theangle between said blade and said cutting material. 2) The power saw ofclaim 1 where said offset protrudes through an aperture in the structuredefining said resting surface and said offset is adjustable via a rackand pinion system comprising: a. at least one rack b. at least onepinion c. at least one handle that rotates said pinion where said rackand said pinion are positioned such that said offset adjusts normal orapproximately normal to said resting surface. 3) The power saw of claim1 where said offset is at least one bar that slides in a channel in thestructure defining said resting surface wherein said bar would slidefrom a position allowing contact with said cutting material to aposition clear of contact with said cutting material. 4) The power sawof claim 3 where said bar is held captive in said channel by said barand said channel having similar profiles with said bar and said channelbeing wider for at least a portion of the interior of said channel. 5)The power saw of claim 1 where said offset is at least one bar thatslides in a channel in the structure defining said resting surface wheresaid channel is sloped relative to said resting surface and said bar isshaped such that the surface of said bar that interfaces with saidcutting material is parallel or approximately parallel to said restingsurface wherein said bar would slide from a position below said restingsurface to a plurality of positions above said resting surface. 6) Thepower saw of claim 5 where said bar is held captive in said channel bysaid bar and said channel having similar profiles with said bar and saidchannel being wider for at least a portion of the interior of saidchannel. 7) The power saw of claim 1 where said offset is positioned viarotating the structure defining said offset about a hinge from aposition that would contact said cutting material to a position thatwould be clear of said resting surface and clear of said cuttingmaterial. 8) The power saw of claim 7 where said structure defining saidoffset rests partially in a channel when rotated to a position thatwould contact said cutting material. 9) The power saw of claim 7 wheresaid structure defining said offset rotates from underneath said restingsurface through an aperture in said resting surface to a position thatwould contact said cutting material. 10) The power saw of claim 9 wherewhen said structure defining said offset is in a position where saidstructure defining said offset would not contact said cutting materialthen said structure defining said offset would rest on positioningsurface 1 and would be restrained to said positioning surface 1 via atleast one spring or latch and when said structure defining said offsetis in a position where said offset would contact said cutting materialthen said structure defining said offset would rest on positioningsurface 2 and would be restrained to said positioning surface 2 via atleast one said spring or said latch. 11) The power saw of claim 1 wheresaid offset is positioned through an aperture in the structure definingsaid resting surface via a four bar mechanism where a. bar 1 is definedby the structure defining said resting surface b. bar 2 connects on oneend to said bar 1 c. bar 3 defines said offset material and connects onone end to said bar 2 d. bar 4 connects on one end to said bar 3 and onthe other end to said bar 1 where said bar 2 and said bar 4 areapproximately the same length such that said bar 3 moves parallel orapproximately parallel to said resting surface such that said offsetmaterial adjusts from being below said resting surface to a plurality ofpositions above said resting surface. 12) The power saw of claim 11where the motion of said four bar mechanism is restrained by at leastone threaded shaft that on one end is attached to the structure definingsaid power saw and on the other end engages a threaded hole where thestructure defining said threaded hole is either part of or attached tothe structure defining either said bar 2 or said bar 3 or said bar 4 andwhere when said threaded shaft is rotated said offset material movesthrough a plurality of positions relative to said resting surface. 13)The power saw of claim 11 where the motion of said four bar mechanism isrestrained via at least one latch that attaches to at least one positionon the structure defining said saw and on the other end to a pluralityof positions on the structure defining either said bar 2 or said bar 3or said bar 4 whereby said offset material is positioned at a pluralityof positions relative to said resting surface. 14) The power saw ofclaim 1 where said offset is positioned through an aperture in thestructure defining said resting surface by a bar that has a shaft ateither end where said shaft at one end fits in at least one cylinderdefined by said structure defining said resting surface and said shaftat the other end fits in at least one cylinder defined by said structuredefining said resting surface where said cylinders are positioned suchthat said bar is parallel or approximately parallel to said restingsurface and there is at least one handle attached to said bar and thereis at least one latch that fixes the rotational position of said barrelative to the said structure defining said resting surface and saidbar material is offset from said shaft such that when said bar isrotated to one position said bar material is below said resting surfaceand when said bar is rotated to a plurality of other positions said barmaterial extends to a plurality of said offsets above said restingsurface. 15) The power saw of claim 14 where said bar is rectangularshaped or approximately rectangular shaped where said bar is rotated inone position said bar material is below said resting surface and wheresaid bar is rotated 180 degrees said bar material is above said restingsurface. 16) The power saw of claim 14 where said bar is triangularshaped or approximately triangular shaped where said bar is rotated inone position said bar material is below said resting surface and wheresaid bar is rotated 120 degrees said bar material is above said restingsurface and where said bar is rotated 240 degrees said bar material isabove said resting surface to a greater, lesser, or same extent than theresults of said 120 degree rotation. 17) The power saw of claim 14 wheresaid bar is circular shaped or approximately circular shaped where saidcircular shape is offset from said shafts such that when said bar isrotated in one position said bar material is below said resting surfaceand when said bar is rotated to a plurality of other positions said barmaterial is at a plurality of positions above said resting surface. 18)The power saw of claim 14 where said bar is oval shaped or approximatelyoval shaped where said oval shape is offset from said shafts such thatwhen said bar is rotated in one position said bar material is below saidresting surface and when said bar is rotated to a plurality of otherpositions said bar material is at a plurality of positions above saidresting surface. 19) The power saws of claims 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15,and 16 where said offset can be extended via a plurality of removableattachments where said removable attachments are a plurality ofthicknesses which would increase the extent of said offset. 20) Thepower saws of claims 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, and 16 where said offsetis defined by an attachment to the structural member supporting saidoffset where said attachment is connected to said structural membersupporting said offset via at least one screw where said screw providesfor positioning said attachment at a plurality of distances from saidstructural member supporting said offset, wherein said plurality ofdistances from said structural member supporting said offset results ina plurality of said offsets relative to said resting surface.